Sparta senior found with drugs, knife on school property

SPARTA -- A Sparta High School senior faces drug and weapons charges after he was stopped in the school parking lot by school administrators and security officers, police said.

According to police, Eric Roberts, 18, was found with about 50 grams of marijuana, $4,450 in cash, a 13-inch butterfly knife, a small digital scale and a small box of zip-type plastic bags on Jan. 24.

Sgt. John-Paul Beebe from the Sparta Police Department said that school officials had developed information that Roberts was dealing drugs in the school.

On Jan. 24, Roberts arrived at Sparta High School at 11 a.m. in a black 2007 Audi. He was stopped by school administrators and security officers in the parking lot of the school and advised of the allegations.

School officials searched Roberts car and discovered the contraband. Roberts refused to answer any questions and was turned over to Sparta Police officers.

He was charged with distribution of narcotics on school property, possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon on school property and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released pending a court appearance.

"The silver lining in all of this is that the school and police department is taking a pro-active approach to make sure our schools are safe for our children," Beebe said. "When the school sees something wrong, they address it. In this case they prevented a person from bringing drugs and a weapon into the school."

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